Got the the truck back from the dealer today this is the 6 or 7th time it has been in. It was in for
1. air conditioner that was freezing up- 3rd time in
Replaced a part finally so we will see if this fixes it.
2. power steering leak - 3rd time in
Power steering pump is currently leaking on my driveway but for some reason they can't find it. They put uv dye in 3 weeks ago. I got a light and made sure that it was coming through before taking it back in. All you have to do is look under the truck and you can see this with the uv light the pump is coverd in yellow. But they can't find it
3. their is oil seaping out from between the block and head on both sides especially toward the back of the motor. 2nd time in
They put dye in the oil last time in. This has not come through but I am still getting fresh oil seeping?
4. 6 speed shifting hard -2nd time in.
It's all I can do to get the truck into 1,2,or 3rd at a stop. Of course they cant find anything wrong with it.

Guys I really like the power of the Cummins and the way my truck drives but I have had enough. I hate to say this but at least when I had to take my Ford's in for work they would fix them. The closest dealers around me are all owned by the same company. The other dealers are 45 minutes in multiple directions so this makes it hard to impossible to get to when you work an 8-4 job and run your own company after you get off work. Sorry this is a rant but I am not happy. Any body have any advice.
Thanks Tom

 

man I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know how you feel about this, but I would think about trading it in if it gives you that many problems, or just take the time to take it somewhere else for the repairs, I have been dealing with lithia dodge in grapevine for over a month now trying to get the cold weather Idle enabled and they finally seem to be realizing I'm not gonna give up. call me bull-headed Anyway, talked to them today and have to take it in on Mon. to leave it for a couple of days. If They can't fix it the regional DC trainer rep guy person is going to come and try to fix it himself Not too sure about that one but ok, the guy told me that regardless of what they had to do to it they were going to make it work this time around

 

I would definitely consider trading the truck in if it gives you that much griefeven though your going to take a hit on it its worth ridding yourself of the hassle. Just be sure to put a note in the truck so the next guy who looks at it doesn't wind up a poor sucker stuck with a bum truck

 

Is this warranty work? If so it's time for the lemon law.

 

Get rid of that truck. I had a 99 gasser Dodge. It didnt get any better. All makers produce a lemon now and then.

 

I agree with the other guys...either trade it off go the lemon law route. I know exactly how frustrated you are I had a similar incident with a Chevy truck a few years back and let me tell you what I sigh of relief it was to get out of that one. I didn't trade or lemon law it, I actually went through arbitration with the aid of the BBB and got GM to buy it back. I wish you luck in whatever path you take.

 

Sounds to me like the main problem is with the dealer and the mechanics incompetence to corectly diagnose and repair the problems. If you want to keep the truck find a competent repair facility that knows diesel trucks and get it fixed.
An oil leak is an oil leak, you pinpoint it and fix it. No new science there. A/C freezing is in the controls usually. The trans hard to shift into gear at a stop is normally the pilot bearing dry and seizing on the trans input shaft. That problem has been going on for decades, Again no new science here either. Another possibility is in the hydraulics not functioning properly, but again its no new science. It's all pretty much straight foreward basic mechanical repairs. Too bad you live so far away but I'm sure you can find a good mechanic in Tenn.

 

I would definately try a different dealer. If the truck is a early built '03 it's probably a cross threaded hydroboost fitting at the power steering pump. Mine let go and required a new power steering pump and new (updated) hydroboost lines.
The oil leak is probably from the valve cover gasket. Easy to R&R. Mine is weeping a little but not leaking.
Did you change the tranny fluid yet? If you have more than 20k miles on the truck I would highly recommend changing it. Go with either the Mopar spec fluid (Pennzoil Synchromesh) or Redline MTL.

MikeyB

 

Wow lots of reply very quickly. The wife and I have decided to take it into a different dealer in the morning same dealer ship name diff location. No hope for the tranny fix there they don't have a tranny guy but hopefully they can fix a leaky power steering pump and maby the oil leak I know I am asking a lot. It was also decide that if they don't fix it, it will be finding a new home. Then it's back to the drawing board .

 

Don't give up!.........GET MAD!

I would start with the service manager and work my up to the owner, DC, and the Attorney General if I had to.

I had a lot of problems with a 92 Chev PU that GM finally traded for a new truck for almost what I paid for it. I went up the ladder until I got something done.

 

SlimPicken, I had my High Idle and Flash done at Allen Samuel Dodge on loop 820 in Ft Worth. Took about 30 minutes. Works great and my mpg is up about 3mpg.

 

Up date:

E-mailed customer service and they stink. Told me to keep working with my dealer if I did not get results try another.
Guys I am so frustrated I just and tired of getting my truck that is 18 months old worked on with no results.

Over the weekend I decided to go test drive other trucks.GM and Ford. I am considering a ford 250 c/c 4x4 Lariet. Never driven a truck this nice. Dealer is going to give me 25,000 on my truck and invoice on theirs I will get more for my truck if I do the deal they have told me it is sold.. Truck has 560 miles on it it came from Jacksonville florida. I hooked my box trailer up to it 6,000-6500 lb and pulled for a few miles. Hate to say it but the Ford is as strong as my dodge. The tow command system is real nice on top of eveything else. I know of all the problems that they have had but I am considering this trade. The good thing is there are 4 diff ford dealers in 10 minutes of my house so when I need service I will not be limited to the one dealer like I am with my dodge. Hope some one has some good advice for me or this truck will be somewhere else. To top it all off this morning when I pulled out the drive way the truck stalled dropped rpm like it was running out of fuel. Never quit running but smoked like an old worked 12v whenI put the throttle to it.

Tom